Introduction to Psychology in Yale 4: Skinner

Foundations: Skinner

Professor Bloom opens with a brief discussion of the value and evolutionary basis of unconscious processing. The rest of this lecture introduces students to the theory of Behaviorism, particularly the work of prominent behaviorist, B.F.Skinner. Different types of learning are discussed in detail, as well as why behaviorism has been largely displaced as an adequate theory of human mental life.

00:00 A brief review on the unconscious.

06:32 B.F.Skinner and Behaviorism.

11:45 Habituation: the very simplest form of learning.

14:25 Classical conditioning: associating stimulus.

31:18 Operant conditioning: operating on the environment.

45:12 Question and answeer on Behaviorism.

46:44 Controversies and criticisms on Behaviorism.

The end!